Profile Evaluation!!

[yankees25]

Hi,

I would like to know what you think my chances are at applying to the following schools: HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, UCLA, Columbia, Tuck.

I have a 3.8 GPA from my undergrad, BBA in Finance. Attended large public university and was enrolled in both the business and university honors programs. I graduated in top 5% of my class. I currently have 5.5 years of work experience (6 at time of marticulation): 2 years investment banking analyst program, 3.5 years in private equity. I do have some community leadership activity (mentored underpriviledged high school students), but really have some great work experience leadership info (led initiatives, high responsibilities, etc.) The major disappointment/glaring issue with my profile is my GMAT score. My highest score is a 620 (71st percentile;42Q, 34V). I have taken the test 6 times in an effort to improve my score to the 650+ range but kept scoring in the 580-620 range and have finally come to terms with it. FYI, I applied to all of these schools except Tuck two years ago and was rejected without interviews (applied with 580 gmat last time)...so therefore I essentially a reapplicant. The major thing thats improved since my last go around is my work experience. I switched firms about 1.5 years ago and to go to a more entreprenurial firm where I've really had great work experience and stuff to talk about in my essays (leadership, failures, decisions had to make, etc.).

Two questions:
1.) Do I have a real chance at the schools that I'm looking to apply to?
2.) Has taking the gmat so many times (negatively) affected my application? Or do schools honestly accept your highest score?

Thanks so much!! I apprecaite the feedback.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear yankees25,

Schools do use your highest GMAT score in your evaluation and the number of times you take the GMAT is really not a factor. However, in your case, your highest score is still quite a bit below average and outside the mid-80% range for the schools you have noted in your post. While your GPA is high and you note some great work experience, I just don't know if that will be enough to get you to the admit pile in such a competitive year for schools that admit roughly 10% (or less) of their applicant pool. It is always possible, but I think you should consider applying to some other schools that are more reasonable for your profile if you really want to be in business school next fall. I agree that your GMAT score will probably not improve anymore, so you want to use the rest of your application to your advantage--ensure that the GMAT is the only potential weakness.

Good luck,
Lisa